Fastening-machine.



W. A, STH. FASTENI'NG APPLIOATIGN FILED JAN, 1s, 1906.

MEINE.

famme FASTEMNG- MACHINE. APELIUATION FILED JAN. 16,1906.

Eaanted June 2, i910.

1e amnrswnkm z,

J, A.` SMITH. PASTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16,1906.

Pasemke' une 2L i6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. S'MITE. FASTBING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED JAN.1e,19oe-.

16 Msli-mms? @enses aux? Q FASTENING MASH Smm.

APPLICATION ULEB JAN. 1s, 190s.

atend Jima 2L ww.

16 SHEETS-SHEET Y.

W, A. SMITH. FASTEUNG MAUHINE. APPLIGATIGN FILED JAN. 1s, 1,906.

.bfaent June 2, im@

16 SHEETS-SHEET 1s,

W." A. SMTH. FASTENING MACHINE. AFPLIGATION HLBD mm1-6,1906.

Familie@ gun@ 251, EW).

1e SHEETS-SHEET 14.

'VMI-mmm nrrnn vvrLLAnn n. or Mnmeosn, MASSACHUSETTS, sesiones., Bvnnsnn ASSIGN- MENTS, T UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMFAN'Y',

Specification of Letters atent.

OF PATERSON, NFiV JERSEY,

Application filed January i6, 1966. Serial No. 296,388.

telling-Machines, of which the following is Aa specification.'

rlhe present invention relates to machines for lacing together Vtheeyeleted quarters of shoe uppers preparatory to placimg,l them on a lastfor the lasting,` and other subsequent operations, in order that theedges of the lacing slit shall be held atthe pioper distance apart andthe upper be permitted to be iiattened out and properly fitted to thelast during the lasting operation.

The invention is intended primarily as an improvement in shoe upperlacing machines which comprise a plurality of needles arranged to'pass:i series of loops oi lacingcord through the eyclet holes of an upper7and particularly as an improvement on the shoe upper lacing machinedisclosed in applicants prior Patent hilo. *179,008 dated Jorn 3, 1905.in its broader aspects7 howeve the present invention is applicable toother forms of shoe upper lacing machines, and it is to be understoodthat except :is specifically dciined in the claims thevorious featuresof the present invention are not limited to a machine having1 itsvarious parts constructed and arranged as in the machine oitl the patentabove referred to, nor are they lini ited to the specific constructionan l arrangjmv ment of parts hereinafter described as constitutingthepreferred einbodiniient of the invention.

The object of the present invention to provide a shoe upper lacingmachine havingI its various parts constructed and arranged in animproved and simplified manner, and having an improved model ofoperation whereby the machine is adapted to perform the operation oflacing` a shoe upper With certainty and at a greater rate of speed andin a more reliable and satisfactory manner than shoe upper lacing'machines that have heretofore been devised.

With thisobject in view the various features of the present. inventioncontemplate the provision in a shoe upper lacing machine of en improvedneedle for passingr a loop oit lacing cord through the eyelet holes olfan upper Without liability of the eyelets or the upper catching on theneedle; the provision or' a thread iinger arranged to pull card from thesupply to be used in forming the loops which are inserted through theeyelei holes of the upper whereby excessive renden lng or the cordthrough the eyes, or slots of the needle or needles is'prevented; thepro` vision ci impr ved means for adjusting the needles of a multipleneedle machine to adapt the machine for operation upon uppers having theeyelets diderently' spaced; the provision of improved means for varyingthe. amount of slack formed in the lacing;` to permit different stylesof upper to be flat- 'tened out and positioned properly on the last; theprovision of improved. Work guards for preventing the upper beinginjured by the la 'ing instrumcntalities during` the operation o 'themachine; the provision of an improved construction end arrangement otlthe clam ps, or gripiiers, for holding the ends ci" the lacing cord, andimproved mecha ism for operating said grippers, or clamps; the provisionci' an improved means 'for sevcrinel the lacingr from the supply oflacing cord; the provision of an improved lrnot tying` mechanism; theprovision oiE a device in connection 'with 'the knot tying mechanism:for tightening` the knot; the provision of a ivorlr adjuster or holderfor positioning?r the -Workprcperly duringl the lacing operationv` andthe provision in connection with seid Work adjuster and holder of stopmechanism for tlnoiving` the .machine into and out or' operation soconstructed and arranged tl at the Work is properly adjusted lieto? thelacing instrumentalitics are put in operation.

lThe various features of the invention above refcrred'to will be clearlyunderstood from an inspection oi' the accompanyingl drawings, in whichis illustrated a shoe upper lacing machine embodying the same in theirpreferred form. This machine in addition lo embodyingn the features ofinvention above reti-fried to also embodies certain novel features ofconstruction and arrangement of parts hereii'iafter described andclaimed, the advantages of which will be obvious to those skilled in theart from the following description.

Referring lo the drawings Figure l is a plan View ot a shoe upperlacing` machine inbodying the various features of the pres a view inside elevation of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 4, the viewbeingtaken on the section line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a View similarto Fig. 5 but showing only the 'looper fingers and the mechanism forsupporting and actuating the saine'. Fig. 7- is a cross-sectional -viewon the line 7-7 of Fig.

l 5. Fig S is a plan .view of a portion of the mechanisms illustrated inFig. 4 ona somewhat larger scale. Fig. 9 is adetail sectional view takenon the line 9-9 of Fig. 8. F ig. 10 is a detail crosssectional Viewtaken on the line 10*10 of Fig. 9.looking in the `direction of thearrow. Fig. 11 is a crosssectional detail" view taken on the line 11-11of Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 12 is a detailperspective view of a har forming a portion of the needle rotatingmechanism. Fig. 13 is a detail view in front elevation of a portion ofthe machine illustrating the feeder needle carrier and the tensiondevice for the lacing cord. Fig. 14 is a detail cross-sectional viewtaken on the line 14-14 of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a detail sectional viewon a larger scale than Fifrs. 13 and 14, taken on the line 15-15 of Fig.

i 14. Fig. 16 is a View in elevation of the end of the machine oppositeto Vthat shown in Fig. 2, certain of the parts which would appear inthis figure being omitted to avoid confusing the drawing. Fig. 17 is adetail plan View of the knot tying mechanism. Fig. 18 is a View in sideelevation of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 17 Fig. 19 is a verticalsectional view on line 1.9-19 of Fig. 1S, showing also a portion of themachine f'rame adjacent to the knot tying mechanism with' a work guardand the cord clamps, oi'grippers, mounted thereon. Fig. 20 is a verticalsectional View of the knot tying mechanism taken in a plane at rightangles to that of Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a vertical sectional View or" theknot tying mechanism taken on the same plane as Fig. 19, but showing thegripping jaws open. Figs. 22, 23 and 24 are detail cross-sectional`views taken respcclively on the lines 22-22, 23v23 and 24M-24 ol" Fig.20. Fig. 25 is a detail plan View illustrating the lacing cord clamps,or grippers, and their actuating mechanism. Fig. 2G a view in sideelevation of thc mechan- -ism illustrated in Fig. 25. Fig. 27 is adetail plan View illustrating the thread finger and the knot'tightencrand the mechanism by which these parts are actuated. Fig. 28 is a Viewin side elevation of the mechanism illustrated inFig. 2'?, with aportion of the machine frame shown in section. The plane of this figureon Fig. 1 is indicated by the line 28-28. Figs. 2S) to 33 inclusive aredetail plan views illustrating particularly the positions which thelooper needles, looper fingers and cord feeding needle occupy atldi'erentstages in the operation of the machine. Figs. 34 to 39 inclusiveare detail views in front elevation illustrating the* operation of theknot tyin mechanism, Fig. 39 also illustrating the action of the threadfinger in placing the lacing cord between the Jaws of the knot tyingmechanism. Fig. 40 is a view in side elevation of the parts illustratedin Fig. 39. Figs. 41 and 42 are views in front and side elevationillustrating the action of the knot tightener in tightening the knot.Figs. 43 and 44 are detail perspect-ive views of the gripping jaws ofthe knot tying mechanism. Fig. 45 is a View in side elevation of aportion of the machine with several of the parts shown in section,illustrating the Work adjusting mechanism and the sto mechanism. Figs.46 and 47 are detail views in side elevation but looking in oppositedirections of the stop mechanism. Fi 48 is a detail view illustrating aportion o a shoe upper as it appears after having been laced by themachine. Fig. 49 is a detail View illustrating three positions which thelooper needle carrier occupies at different times during the operationof the machine. Fig. 50 is a detail plan view illustrating a modifiedconstruction, by means of which the looper fingers can be adjustedsimultaneously. Fig. 51 is a cross-sectional -View taken on the line51-51 of Fig. 50,

looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 52 is a detail Viewillustrating the guide for the feeder needle carrier in cross-sectionand two of the work guides in side elevation. Fig. 53 is a detail Viewin side elevation of a modified` construction for adjusting the looper'needles longitudinally. Fig. 54 is a View in front elevation of themechanism illustrated in Fi 53.

The machine i lustrated in the drawings', like the machine disclosed inthe patent above referred to, is adapted to pass a series of loopsformed in a lacing cord through` the eyelet holes of an upper, andthereafter to pass a portion of the lacing cord throu h the loops, severthe lacin -irom the supp y and tie the ends of the lacin together. Themachine coin rises a plura ity of needles, equal in numher to the numberof pairs of eyelet holes which it is desired to lace, a plurality oflooperI fingers coperatin .with the needles to form the lacing cor intoloops and retain the loops in osition until the shoe upper is laced on te needles, a cord-feeding neede to place the cord in position to e enaged by the needles and looper fingers an to pass a ortion of the cordthrough the loops after t ey have been eea, los

inserted in the eyelet holes of the upper,

Acord clamps or grippers to hold the ends of vthe lacing, a cutter tosever the lacing from .cord `throuh the eyelet holes or the upper`ivvitl'iout `di culty, the eye or slot ot cach -needle which receivesthe lacing cord is located a 'short distance'from the end of the :needleand Aopens at one side of the needle, nothat no projection is formed inthe needle which can engage the eyelet or upper. "lfhe .-lacing cord isplaced by the cord feeding yneedle-at one side of the looper needles,and i.to cause the cord to be engaged hg, the needles .a relativelateral movement of the ycord and needles is produced by moving theAcarrier in which the needles arc mounted. The needles are mounted intheir carrier so as to be adjustable vvith reference to .each other tosuit the spacing of the eyelets in the upper to be operated upon and topermit the adjustment of the needles to be made easily and quickly meansare provided whereby the required adjustment of all of the needles ismade simultaneously. To form the lacing cord `into loops the needles andlooper fingers are moved longitudinally in opposite directions. Thelength of cord taken up by `the loops remains in the lacing and providessuliicient amount of slack in the lacing to permit the upper to beattened out and .properly fitted to the last. It will be evident thatthe amount ol' slack produced in the lacing can be varied by varying thelength of cord talrenup in forming the loops vand in the machineillustrated in the drawings this is accomplished by adjusting the looperlingers longitudinally, means being provided -whereby ll the looperfingers can be adjusted simultaneously.

Two cord clamps or grippers are provided located at one side of thelooper needles and looper fingers, one gripper being actuated to graspand hold the free endofthe lacing cord, .and the other gripper beingactuated to grasp the end of that portion of the cord which is passedthrough the loops of the lacing. 'lo enable these grippers to grasp thecord with certainty, they are arranged to operate in close proximity tothe path of the cord feeding needle, and at'substantially the samedistance therefrom. By this arrangement of the grippers and cord feedingneedle the-cord is presented accurately to one 0r the other of thegrippers at each reciprocation of the needle.

The means for severing the lacing from the supply of lacing cordconsists ol a cutting blade mounted upon one of the cord grippers acrossthe edge of which the cord l is dratvn during the backward movement ofthe cord feeding .needle after the lacing of the upper has beencompleted. A. sullicientl tension is put upon the cord to cause thecutter to sever the lacing by means ot an intermittently acting tensiondevice which engages the cord during a portion of the backward movementof the cord feeding needle. l

The knot tying mechanism is located at one side of the looper needlesand looper lingers between the needles and the oord grippcrs. ThisV knottying mechanism is adapted to tie the ends of thc lacing together in acertain and reliable manner, and permits the laced upper to be droppedfrom the machine Without any liability of interfering with thesubsequent operations oi" so the lacing devices. The novel features oit'this lrnotting mechanism consist in certain constructions andarrangements ol its parts which Will be hereinafter described..

In addition to the parts above referred to, the machine illustrated inthe drawings is also provided with a knot tightener consisting of alinger which acts upon the lacing, While still held by the knot tyingmechanism, to tighten the knot, and With a thread 9o p linger 'whichacts upon the. cord between the looper needles and the cord grippersprior 'to the formation of the loops, and pulls out a length of cordwhich is used m forming y-the loops so that the cord for the.- loops issupplied from both sides of the needles and an excessive rendering ofthe cord through the eyes or slots of the needles is prevented.

To prevent the Work from projecting into the path of movement of thecord feeding needle, or from assuming any position which Would interferewith the operation of the machine Work guards are provided on each sideof the looper needles, and one ol' these Work guards is adjustabletoward and from the needles so that Ait may be brought into desiredposition with relation to the needles when the needles are adjusted.

The machine is also provided with a Work adjuster for forcing the upperinto position l-lO on the looper needles, and with a. stop mech* anismfor throwing the machine into and outof operation. The Work adjusterconsista of plate mounted to move from a position at one side of theneedles across the endsl of the needles and then longitudinally of theneedles a sufficient distance to force the 'ipper into the desiredposition on the needles. The 'work adjuster also serves as ay guard toprevent injury to the hands ofthe laf operata' by the lacing devices,and particularly of 1he cord feeding needle, since the j hand of theoperator cannot remain in the path of movement of the cord feedingneedle during the movement of the Work adjusting plate across the endsof the looper needles. rlhe Work adjusting plate is actuated throughconnections which control the operation of the stop mechanism, and theseconnections 'are so arranged that the work 130 adjusting plate isbrought into operation before the machine is thrown into operation. Thecorrect j iositioning of the work is thu-1 insured, and also all dangerof injury lo the operator is avoided.

Referring now to the drawings, and paiticularly to Figs. 2, 4 and 5, thenunieral 10 designates a frame including separated side members 11, 11.,in which is mounted a shaft 12 carrying a yoke 13, to which are pivotedarms 14, 14 of the needle carrier Articulated to the under side of theforward end of the carrier is a link 16, in which may be included aturn-buckle 17, allowing an adjustment of the stroke' of the carrier,this 'link being pivoted at ,its opposite end to an angle lever 18,turning about a shaft 19 extending between the .sides of the frame. lnthe end of the lever 18 is secured a stud 2O carrying a cam roll 20a,arranged in a cani path 21 formed in the face of a disk 22 fixed to theshaft 22a. The cam path imparts to the lever 18 and to the forward endof the carrier an angular movement which is most clearly shown in Fig.4'9, there being a maximum downward position indicated at X, in whichthe needles are in position to receive rthe work and to have the workstripped therefrom, an cxtreme upward position indicated at Y, .in whichthe eyes or slots of the needles receive the lacing cord, and an inter`mediate or mean position indicated at Z, in

which the needles are in position to permit ,the passage of the cordyfeeding needle through the loops of the lacing. During the operation ofthe machine the needle carrier also assumes 'a fourth position slightlybe,.- low tl? t indicated at Z, to allow the cord feedingneedle to passover and in close proximity to the needles in feeding the lac-` i'ngcord' to the needles preparatory to the formation of the loops. 'Acrossthe outer end of this carrier is a front-plate 23 (Figs.

3, 8 to 11, inclusive) forming a space iii which are situated squareblocks or holders 24 for the needle spindles 31 that carry the needles25. Five of these needles 25 are here shown, but it will be obvious thatany desired number may he c...ployed according to how inany eycletopenings are to be laced. Each needle has at one side, near its outerextremity, a slot or eye 213 which extends longitudinally of the needleand opens at one side in a throat 27, which is formed by cutting awaythe wall of the needle at this point. Below cach slot t3 is a groove 28that lies about 90 from the slot with reference to the circumfcreucc ofthe needle, these grooves 28 being provided to facilitate the passage ofthe cord carrying needle through thc loops of the lacing. l-ach needleis secured in its spindle by a set-screw 29, which secures thc needle inthe tubular socket tl() of the spindleil. 'lhe inner-end of the spindlesprojects into a chamber 9:2- within the cari'ier. At the other end eachspindle is l formed with a shoulder 33 that receives the set-screw 29and prevents the inward movement of the spindle. A collar 34 secured tothe end of each spindle 31, and located in l the chamber 32, preventsthe outward inovenient of the spindle. From this collar projects a crank35, having a crank-pin 36 by which each spindle in ay be rotated bymechanism. which will be hereinafter described. The block or holder 24at the right of the plate, as seen .in Fig. 3, is fixed, while theremainder may beA adjusted with relation to one another to provide forthe different p0- sitions of the needles, due to different spacings ofeyelet holes in the upper. In the space at they rear of the front platedepend from each holder 24, pairs of separated arms or extensions 37,37, connecting respectively j to those adjacent to' them at each side byI links 38. l'he upper ends of these links are l pivoted to the arms 37at' B9, while the lower l ends carry pins 39h, operating in slots 39 inthe ends of the arms 37, Fig. 1l. These links are articulated to oneanother at intermediate points 40 so that a lazy-tongs systcin is formedby which a proportionate ,movement is imparted to all the holders. Tothe outside holder ai'in at the left is pivoted a link 41 operatingthrough aslot in the front plate, and being joined at its opposite endto an adjusting lever 42, fulcrumed upon said plate. In this lever is aquadrant slot 423, having extended through it a binding-screw 44,allowing the position of the lever to be adjusted. It will be seen thatby this mechanism all the holders, spindles and needles may besimultaneously moved laterally, and the proper spaces between themsecured and maintained. The needles 25 are moved longitudinally, toenable them to ef-i feet their share in the looping operation, by areciprocation of the carrier through an oscillation of the yoke 13 thatis provided with a cam roll 45, entering a cam path 46, in a disk i7.(Fig. 5) fixed to the shaft 22a.-

lhe looper fingers which coperate with the needles in forming the lacingcord into loops are mounted and actuated as followsr---ln the carrier 15(Fig. 7) is formed a dove-tailed groove, or way 4S to receive and permitof the reciprocation of a complemental tongue 49 (Figs. 4 to 9inclusive) formed on the bottom of a support 49, which is movedlongitudinally of the carrier, to act uate the looper lingers, byl aconnecting rod 50 that is pivoted at one end t0 the support 49, and atits opposite end to the lfi'ee end of a lever 12 pivoted on the shaft12. The arm 12a cari-'ies a cani roll 51 arranged in a cam path 52 of acam disk 53 fast upon the shaft 22a. At the forward end of the carrierare secured plates .15, which serve as guides for the Lfront end of themovable plate 5G upon which the looper fingers

